The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies November 2016 / Heshvan 5777 AVRUTA HDammara Rose Kovnats Hall (Summer ’16, PCJE ’16-’19) “I am thrilled to be part of the Pardes Educators Program, where the high caliber of teaching stimulates deep learning and the heartfelt commitment of the teachers and support of the Pardes community inspires true spiritual growth.”

Returning New Faces to Zion Old Issues

BEHIND THE SCENES: HOW WE KEEP OUR ORCHARD BLOOMING LEADING THE WAY CREATING PURSUERS of PEACE

Jewish learning know that these texts are rich, nuanced, Why Study and filled with thought-provoking ideas and arguments.

Studying Bible, Mishna, Talmud and Jewish Thought often Torah? puts us up against the bigger questions of life. It takes us out of our routine concerns and daily decision-making, forcing us to confront questions of morality and meaning. As many of us know from our Pardes experience, it has the power to transform. Unlike superficial learning, there are any Jews see ancient no pat answers and we are often left with more questions texts as irrelevant to than answers. Yet we emerge fuller and richer for the Ma post-modern world. process. Antiquated. Misogynistic. Even immoral. And honestly, the classical texts of the Jewish tradition are very old, and The study of Torah also connects us with the genius often challenging to us, who seem to live in a very different of the Jewish people. It connects us to our ancestors, world. But is our world really so different? ancient, medieval, and modern, even if that connection is to disagree with them. We become part of a chain, In certain ways, it is – computers, cell phones and linked to a tradition and culture that spans continents industrial production have changed our lives. In other and generations. ways, however, the French proverb holds true: plus ca change, plus c’est la même chose, the more things We join the “Jewish conversation” over these texts, change, the more they stay the same. adding our own post-modern understanding and our own hiddushim (insights). The many voices we encounter Human nature and human relationships have changed in Torah study can transform us to become more human, little over the centuries. The most important issues in more moral, and more understanding, while strengthening life are surprisingly not so different: the need to provide our identity and making life more meaningful. for oneself and one’s family, love, and balancing concern for oneself with concern for others, to name a few. And Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks wrote (The Times, UK, while our reality is changed, the quest to find something July 2004), “My life is a chapter in a book begun by my beyond remains, whether we call it a spiritual journey or ancestors long ago, to which I will add my contribution meaning-making. before handing it on to my children. Life has meaning when it is part of a story, and the larger the story, the Torah often challenges current beliefs, but that is good, more our imaginative horizons grow.” This is the Pardes too. Foon a kashe, shtorbnisht, goes the Yiddish saying: mission: to open the doors of study as wide as possible, to From a hard question, nobody dies. There is something help all Jews deepen their understanding of the tradition frustrating, yet refreshing about having our assumptions to which we are all heirs. questioned. Those who have experienced deep, intensive Dr. David I. Bernstein is the Dean & Interim President of Pardes.

EUROPE

Pardes has expanded its Our faculty has been teaching European Leadership Fellowship, across Europe too, including in St. for emerging European Jewish Petersburg, Budapest, Stockholm, professionals and educators. Paris, Zurich and beyond – in Three new slots are being community centers, synagogues, In the UK, Pardes has continued to generously funded by YESOD and Moishe Houses, Limmuds and grow with three packed Pop-Up Beit this year's larger cohort includes more! Midrash events at JW3, the London participants from Hungary, Jewish Community Centre. Nechama France and the UK. In addition Pardes student groups visited and Goldman Barash was a huge hit at to free Pardes tuition, fellows taught in Turkey and Germany, Limmud in the Woods and at the benefit from guest speakers, and will be traveling to Poland in Open Talmud Project and Rabbi Alex workshops and mentoring to January for a meaningful trip to visited a number of university help create rich Jewish learning explore the 900-year history of the campuses in the fall. And there’s still in their home communities. Jewish community. Limmud UK before the year is out!

2 GLOBAL|Updates

Pardes has been piloting lunch and learns in ISRAEL Israeli business centers. Pardes Israel Board Chair Sherwin Pomerantz initiated two events A series of alumni gatherings brought together students from the at Har Hotzvim in . In , alumnus last 44 years. In February, over 45 alumni from 1974-2015 attended Barak Platt (Year ‘90-’91) hosted Pardes at Azrieli a reception with Rabbi Meir Schweiger. Before Purim, Debbie (Year Towers with Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth who explored ‘85-’86) and Eliot (Year ‘82-’83, ‘85-’86) Zimelman hosted a Modiin the tension between pursuing success in business event with over 20 guests, who enjoyed a shiur from Rabbi David and adhering to the principles of Jewish ethics. Levin-Kruss. In May, Dean Dr. David & Ricki Bernstein hosted a reception for over 40 guests with a shiur by alumnus and former faculty member Rabbi Aryeh Ben David (Year ‘79-'80). NORTH AMERICA

This year, we launched a new venture to create grassroots-led, Pardes-style batei midrash across North America. Pardes will support local initiatives according to their needs, with the aim to provide open and inviting Jewish learning spaces, just like Pardes in Jerusalem. First stop, Brooklyn! In March, alumni and like- minded peers started the Brooklyn Beit Midrash: Powered by Pardes. The BBM has successfully established a monthly learning gathering with 40-50 people at each event. This year, a new twist was added to the Summer Program. In addition to the three-week July program, a two-week August program was offered, particularly popular with those who could not take three weeks off from work. Over 120 students, from 13 The Pardes Center for countries, experienced an action-packed summer, in and out of Jewish Educators is the classroom, including 18 Hillel professionals who returned to excited to announce the campus inspired by their time at Pardes. start of a pilot project focusing on middle school tefilah (prayer) in Jewish day schools. Congratulations to Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper whose second volume of Relics for the Present was Thanks to a generous grant from the AVI CHAI published earlier this year. Using Tractate Berakhot Foundation, five schools in the Greater New as the foundational text, Levi utilizes a unique York area will benefit from two years of training combination of Talmudic wisdom, rabbinical and implementation with the aim of addressing commentary and Hasidic lore, to transform ancient the challenges of tefilah and tefilah education teachings into inspiring vignettes for everyday life. in their schools. Books available at www.korenpub.com.

Pardes taught over 200 classes in North America This summer, faculty and staff participated in a transgender during 2015-16 of which over 100 were taught by sensitivity training run by Eshel – an organization working to create Rabba Yaffa Epstein, North American Director community and acceptance for LGBTQ Jews and their families. The of Education. These included 11 local Moishe workshop offered practical tools to address the needs of students House events, 3 Moishe House retreats, 7 who do not identify with the traditional gender binary and provided Limmuds (including Mexico for the first time) a forum to share questions and concerns, learn a new language and over 30 events on 26 campuses. Yaffa also of gender inclusion and discuss the evolving nature of how we taught at Hillel's Global Assembly, Educators' understand gender. Kallah and Springboard Fellowship Training. 3 ALUMNI|Check-in ACROSS THE DECADES

1970s DAVID BARISH 1980s LEWIS WARSHAUER

David Barish (Year ’72-'73) grew “I felt totally at sea.” That’s how up active in the Reform movement Lewis Warshauer (Year ‘81- and during an archeological dig ‘82, ‘91-‘92) describes his first in Israel, he heard about a new encounter with Pardes, when he program called Pardes. David went walked into Regina Stein’s humash from uncovering history to making class. Lewis came to Pardes after it, by joining the inaugural class of working in real estate and realizing the world’s first coeducational beit midrash. David reflects, that his Jewish education was sorely lacking. “Pardes gave “Pardes gave me direction that I didn’t have. It helped me me the entryway into all the Jewish study I’ve done since. form a vision of Judaism that is pluralistic, traditional and I needed to be in an open environment where men and based on the great literature of the Jewish people.” women studied together – which was rare at the time. The year taught me a lot: not just texts, but Jewish living.” David returned to the US to complete his studies and went on to Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati to earn his Ph.D. After returning to the US, Lewis, together with fellow in Jewish history, focusing on the late antiquities period. alumnus Phil Shaw, set up a US-based fundraising arm for Pardes. It has grown to be a core component of Pardes’s David left academia and joined the family business, Chair global operations. Lewis was part of this growth every step King – now the largest outdoor furniture retailer in the US. of the way as Pardes’s longest serving US-based board David remains deeply involved in Jewish life. “I am involved member. He stepped down this year after more than thirty in anything Israel,” David remarked. He is on the AIPAC years actively involved in Pardes leadership. National Council and on the boards of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the United Israel Appeal. He is also the Chair After a career on Capitol Hill, Lewis returned to Pardes. of HonestReporting.com. He is very proud of the fund his “I had decided to go to rabbinical school and needed father created three years ago in memory of his mother, preparation.” Lewis has been an independent Jewish Shirley Barish z"l, at Congregation Emanu El in Houston, studies adult educator for many years and has a special which sends teenagers to Israel every other year for free. interest in works of art that depict Bible characters and episodes. Lewis has taught classes at Congregation David and his wife Linda reside in Houston. They also own Habonim, Central Synagogue, B’nai Jeshurun and a home on Moshav Shoresh and enjoy spending time there. The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center in .

1990s JAMIE TRAEGER-MUNEY

Even though of her Judaism, which is exactly what field that has wide ranging benefits for Jamie Traeger- she did and continues to do. her clients. Muney (Year ’91- ’92) comes from As the founder and CEO of Wealth Legacy Seven years ago, Jamie and her a family with a Group, Jamie is a wealth psychologist, husband made . She is working strong sense of exploring the impact that finances have to bring a sense of tikkun olam to the cultural Jewish on inheritors and guiding clients in wider community, starting with her identity, Jewish religion was a far more finding purpose and fulfillment through family. She has made a point of raising nebulous piece of the puzzle for her to using their financial resources. Jewish her two children in an atmosphere of fit into the larger picture. values and perspectives have played a diversity – they have attended mixed major role in shaping her practice, and secular and religious schools, and will At Pardes, former director Rabbi Levi she has found that helping others to eventually continue on to mixed military Lauer encouraged her to take ownership thrive and empowering them, is a niche units in the IDF.

4 2000s AMANDA 2000s ALMA REISEL ALUMNI|Check-in BORSCHEL-DAN ACROSS THE DECADES When it comes to diversity When Amanda Borschel-Dan (Year ’99- in the Jewish world, ’00, Fellow ’00-’01) came to Pardes, Alma Reisel (Summer she didn’t know much about traditional ’09) believes strongly in Jewish texts, other than the fact that cultivating an atmosphere they existed. She didn’t even discover of inclusion. When she her Jewish roots until the age of nine. came to Pardes she found “My mother converted to Christianity at 18,” she says. “I sort of a similar attitude and approach to what were formally raised myself as Jewish.” unfamiliar Jewish texts. She says, “I love the ethos that everyone should learn. The sources are for all of These days, Amanda’s Jewish knowledge is deep and rich. With us and that is an amazing contribution to the Jewish the title, Jewish World Maven at (TOI), that world.” Her experience at Pardes was so positive kind of knowledge is essential. As a founding staff member of that she convinced her mom and dad to attend the TOI, Amanda has the distinction of covering whatever topics in Summer Program a few years later. the Jewish world interest her most, and those topics are varied. Amanda is constantly drawing on traditional Jewish and Rabbinic For Alma, that conviction goes beyond the text. She texts for her work, using the voices of ancient rabbis the same is the director of Keshet UK, a charity organization way that she incorporates contemporary voices into her writing. that works to include LGBTQ Jews in the Jewish community. Alma sees this kind of work as not only While not observant herself, Amanda gained a strong connection necessary for LGBTQ Jews looking for a way to be a with Talmud at Pardes in Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper’s classes. “It was part of the mainstream Jewish community, but also like watching a sporting event,” she says. Hoping to bring that as a way to enrich Judaism of all strands with the level of excitement and fiery passion for the text to her readership vibrancy of varying perspectives. at her former position as the Magazine editor at , she brought Levi on to write a sort of daf shevui – a page of Currently in London, Alma is involved with a whole Talmud a week, in the publication. slew of Jewish events and organizations – from Jewish Women’s Aid to United Jewish Israel Appeal. Amanda made aliyah in 1999, and lives with her husband and six She has also attended and participated in more than children in Kfar Adumim, where she feels she can immerse herself two dozen Limmud events. Suffice it to say, as an in an authentic Israeli lifestyle. Her son even finds Gemara to be his activist and social worker, she keeps busy. Even with favorite subject at the mixed secular-religious school he attends. It a baby on the way (as we go to print) she doesn’t plan would seem that a love for texts may very well be inherited. on slowing down any time soon.

2010s ASHLEIGH TALBERTH

Ashleigh and lingo with the intention of dropping sound public policy. Ashleigh co-founded Talberth (Year out. Luckily, Dean David Bernstein the Israel-California Greentech ’14-‘15) calls convinced me otherwise, and made a Partnership, aimed at taking Israeli herself an special 'Foundations of Judaism' class, water preservation technology and “accidental or as I called it, '-1 Aleph remedial,'" applying it to help alleviate California’s Jew,” and she recalls. water shortage crisis. hadn’t even heard of Shabbat until the age of 18. In college, while travelling After falling in love with the country, As someone who works between the through Thailand and meeting Israelis, Ashleigh extended her stay, eventually US and Israel, it is only appropriate she was convinced to go on a Birthright deciding to make aliyah. "The Start-Up that Ashleigh calls both places home. trip and see Israel herself. That decision Nation" was the perfect match for She technically lives on a moshav in the changed her life. Eight years later, Ashleigh’s entrepreneurial spirit. For Negev Desert, but often can be found in Ashleigh was determined to return to the last 12 years, she has been working Rehovot or the Bay Area. Considering Israel for a more in-depth experience, in the green-tech world, pioneering all the environmental development and started at Pardes with a very initiatives in the field and acting as a opportunities both places have to offer, remedial understanding of most things consultant for companies taking on she wouldn’t have it any other way. Jewish. “I went to the Dean frustrated challenges such as water scarcity, green by my inability to follow all the acronyms transportation and environmentally

5 HAVRUTA|Masterclass

Returning to Zion: New Faces, Old Issues

When Persia became the dominant power in the Near East in the 6th century BCE, royal edicts allowed and even encouraged Jews to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple. Ezra and Nehemiah were two outstanding and exceptional figures who embraced this historic opportunity and took on leadership roles. The challenges they faced were formidable: physical danger, political intrigues, intermarriage, assimilation, ignorance and apathy.

Here, faculty members Michael Hattin and Neima Novetsky discuss one of the first problems faced by the returnees: how to deal with non-Jews who reside together with you in the land, an issue as relevant today as it was then.

וַּיִׁשְמְעּוצָרֵי יְהּודָהּובִ נְ ןיָמִ ּכִי בְ נֵי הַּגֹולָה ּבֹונִים הֵיכָל לַ ה’...וַּיִּגְׁשּו לאֶ זְרֻּבָבֶ ל...וַ ּיֹאמְ רּו... נִבְ נֶהעִּמָ כֶם ּכִ י כָכֶם נִדְרֹוׁש לֵאֹלקיכֶ ם... וַ ּיֹאמֶ ר לָהֶ ם זְרֻּבָבֶל... ֹלא לָכֶ ם וָלָנּו לִבְנֹותּבַ יִתלֵאֹלקֵ ינּו...

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto the Lord… then they drew near to Zerubbabel… and said... ‘Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as you do…' But Zerubbabel… said unto them: ‘You have nothing to do with us to build a house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord…' (Ezra 4:1-3)

Neima: When the nation returns to Israel after the in certain areas of life and religion there are simple Babylonian exile and begins to rebuild the temple, the rights and wrongs, with little room for compromise. Not Samaritan residents of the land ask to join in the building all lines can be crossed. Thus, if there is good reason to and are rebuffed. Though the Samaritans claim, “for we believe that a person or group will make you do so (as in seek your God, as you do,” they simultaneously worship the time of Ezra-Nehemiah), it might be worthwhile to other gods and are thus rejected by Israel. The episode reconsider the relationship. makes one question: how open Jews should be to non- Jewish society and culture. Is it problematic to join with the “other”? Is assimilation always a bad thing? Was Michael: Neima, I very much appreciate and the nation’s response to the Samaritans right or wrong? sympathize with your comments. Perhaps a little more nuance might be in order. It seems to me that I believe that there is much to be gained through the main reason why the Samaritans were rebuffed in interactions with people of disparate beliefs, but there Nehemiah’s time was because their motivations were is also a time and place for rejecting those beliefs, and, less than sincere. While they proclaimed their seeming sometimes, even the people holding them. Interacting devotions to the God of Israel, they were not prepared with the “other” often means discovering that we have to surrender the worship of their other gods. The God much in common, leading to close friendships and of Israel (because He is absolute and His moral values enriched lives. But there is also a danger that it will reflect that absoluteness) demands exclusivity; anything lead to a compromising of one’s own values. I think that less is idolatry in disguise.

6 But what about a situation in which those that want to partner with us are fully respectful of our special identity and make no attempts to usurp it? What if they are motivated by sincerity and are attracted to the enterprise precisely because of our unique role? To return to the context in question, what if they are prepared to adopt a fundamental monotheism while still maintaining their own cultural (as opposed to religious) identity?

Here, I believe, we are dealing with a different situation and in this case we might welcome their participation. This is, I believe, what Isaiah was referring to when he spoke of a messianic future in which “My house (or Temple) shall be a house of prayer for all nations” (56:7) or what Zefania meant when he spoke of “...all of them shall proclaim God’s name and serve Him with a single purpose” (3:9).

Neima: Michael, I think we are more or less on the same page, and I totally agree that in situations of mutual respect and sincerity, the benefits of inclusion might outweigh the negatives. However, often the line between cultural and religious identity is blurry. Though it is easy to say that one’s beliefs in one area won’t affect the other, that is not always true in practice. That said, I too look forward to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise of an era in which nations will join together, flowing to the Temple to hear the word of God and learn from His ways.

Michael: Your point is very well-taken, Neima. It seems to me that the trial faced by the returning Jews, insofar as rebuilding the Temple was concerned, highlights the abiding trial faced by the Jewish people throughout their long history of interacting with other peoples and faiths. The burning question, framed in terms of Jewish engagement with the larger world, concerns the dynamic tension between particularism versus universalism. Exclusivity tends to foster insularity and detachment while unfiltered embrace is a sure recipe for compromising or losing one’s identity. Finding the right balance between these two – maintaining our unique and special role while interacting intellectually and culturally with the larger world – remains our greatest challenge whether as individuals or as a people.

Rabbi Michael Hattin teaches Bible and Jewish Law. Neima Novetsky teaches Bible, Prophets & Biblical Exegesis.

Continue exploring Ezra and Nehemiah at the Pardes Executive Learning Seminars 2017 Returning to Zion: New Faces, Old Issues

July 2-6 & December 24-28, 2017 in Jerusalem. www.pardes.org.il/executive

Scribal art: 'We ourselves together will build unto the Lord.' Illustrated by Rabbi Dov Laimon. 7 LEADING|the Way

Pursuing Peace and Constructive Conflict in Schools, Synagogues... and even in Israel By Daniel Roth

In a world of constant advancement in global communications we seem to simultaneously be deteriorating in our ability to communicate constructively, especially with those with whom we disagree. From politics to parking spots, Jews tend to be very good at pursuing justice, advocating passionately for what they hold to be right, fair and true. Where we are more challenged though, is in our ability to act as pursuers of peace, balancing our interpretation of justice and truth with competing interpretations. As a result we can find ourselves “crazying” those with whom we strongly disagree and being outraged when the same is done to us.

To a certain extent, Pardes, for over forty years, has been addressing these challenges through the three core ingredients that make up the Pardes text study experience.

HAVRUTA MACHLOKET DERECH ERETZ Pair study Disagreement Ethical behavior

Havruta study is not only the In the classic Pardes text study, The Pardes text study experience most classic form of text study a rabbinic text that transmits a is never truly complete until the but also has been identified by machloket, is almost always on the ethical implications of the text conflict resolution scholars as table. In-depth study of machloket on the lives of the students and an indigenous Jewish model for requires one to see clearly how society have fully been explored conflict resolution training since each side may be true even though and argued. For example, what are it requires, among other things, they are of opposite positions and the ramifications if a particular law the constant practice of deep face- interpretations, a skill critical was in accordance with the opinion to-face listening, and respectful in conflict resolution and to the of Shamai or Hillel, or if we were to communication around difference understanding of conflicting needs read a Biblical story according to in interpretation. and narratives. Rashi or the Rashbam?

Five years ago, Pardes moved from meeting these challenges implicitly to explicitly addressing them when it established the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution(PCJCR). The PCJCR seeks to strengthen the Jewish culture of sacred and constructive conflict (machloket l’shem shemayim) and the pursuit of peace (redifat shalom) through the integration of Jewish texts, values, and development of qualities of soul (middot) along with contemporary conflict resolution theories and practices. To this end, PCJCR established programs that go deep and programs that go broad in effecting social change.

8 GOING DEEP GOING BROAD

Pardes Rodef Shalom Schools and The 9Adar Project: Jewish Week of Communities Programs Constructive Conflict

Throughout Jewish history there were individuals, known The Pardes Rodef Shalom Programs draw inspiration as rodfei shalom (pursuers of peace), who would mediate from ancient Jewish traditions to go deep into effecting conflicts between individuals, families and communities. sustainable communal change. Similarly, the 9Adar However, this ancient Jewish tradition seems to have Project: Jewish Week of Constructive Conflict draws been lost around the mid 1950’s. The Pardes Rodef inspiration from the 9th of Adar to work as broadly as Shalom Programs seek to revive this critical tradition, possible within and between communities worldwide. reaffirming it as a core component of Jewish communal life beginning with our schools and synagogues. The 9th of Adar is a forgotten day on the Jewish calendar, when the House of Hillel and House of Shammai, who The Pardes Rodef Shalom Schools Program is a joint are well known as the model for how to disagree “for venture of the PCJCR and the Pardes Center for Jewish the sake of Heaven,” engaged in what some sources Educators (PCJE). Now in its fifth year, the program has describe as a violent battle over how to relate to non- 15 Jewish middle schools participating across North Jews. The 9Adar Project marks this tragic event through America which span all denominations. The program is an awareness-raising week focused on promoting the tailored to meet school needs, including making rabbinic values and skills of how to disagree more constructively. text study more meaningful to students, promoting social In North America, hundreds of Pardes alumni, as well emotional learning in the classroom and/or exploring as schools, synagogues and campuses, participated these issues throughout the school using a Jewish lens. this past year and plan to participate this coming year (February 19-25, 2017). Now in its second year, the Pardes Rodef Shalom Communities Program works with North American rabbis In Israel, the project is known as Dibbur Chadash: and synagogues. This year, the PCJCR is partnering with Hashavua Lekidum Machloket Bonah and attempts to the Union for Reform Judaism to offer the Creating a reach out beyond the Jewish community to promote the Culture of Constructive Conflict Community of Practice shared values of constructive conflict known in Islam Program for six congregations that will participate in as Thakeft Ikhtilaf. The project is a joint initiative of the a 12-month cohort engaging lay leaders and clergy in PCJCR and Mosaica: the Center for Conflict Resolution addressing the challenges in congregational life. This through Agreement and has created a growing network past June, 10 rabbis across denominations participated of 35 Israeli NGOs to promote the project throughout all in the firstRabbi as Rodef Shalom retreat. sectors of Israeli society.

Ultimately, these programs do not aim to pursue a peace which attempts to “resolve” or end conflicts; rather, the opposite is the case. The peace or shalom we are seeking is known as the “unity of opposites”; it is a shalom which each of us experience every time we engage in Pardes text study with our havruta, communicating constructively about our shared and conflicting interpretations of the texts of our tradition and the texts of our lives.

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth is the founder and director of the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution. The Pardes Rodef Shalom Schools Program is directed by Joan Vander Walde and the Pardes Rodef Shalom Communities Program is directed by Rabbi Amy Eilberg. For more information about the programs and to get involved visit www.pardes.org.il/pcjcr.

9 BEHIND|the Scenes

Interview with JOSHUA CHADAJO Executive Director, North America

How did you first become involved with 12 years is a long time. Describe some of the Pardes? changes you have seen.

I graduated from Bates College in 1994 and took a job To start, I have a lot less hair on my head now. That change at CAMERA, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East aside, Pardes has really grown significantly in terms of Reporting in America. During this time I really began to programs, the number of people we serve, personnel and solidify my interest in Jewish professional life and decided budget. When I started, the Year Program was the central it was time for graduate school. I was Pardes program, which was the case accepted to the Wexner Graduate for decades, and our work training day Fellowship program and they funded my “Programmatic growth has school educators was in its infancy. MBA from Yale. As part of the program, not eroded our identity, Today the Year Program is only one of they asked that I also complete an many exciting programs at Pardes. The intensive Jewish studies program. I rather it’s reinforced it.“ Pardes Educators Program grew into started asking around and it seemed the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators that everyone affiliated with Wexner which now offers eight programs in had learned at Pardes! So I enrolled in the 2001-2002 Year Israel and the US. We now have multiple summer learning Program. It was one of the best life choices I’ve ever made. opportunities, our Executive Learning Seminar now has a I got to spend 10 hours a week learning with Levi Cooper. summer and winter option, and Elmad, our online learning What could be better than that? portal, is growing exponentially. We’re doing more in North America and the UK than ever before. What’s great is that How did you become Executive Director? Pardes is always thinking of new and creative ways to engage people. Despite the programmatic growth, the After returning from my year at Pardes I was hired as rigorous learning, the centrality of the beit midrash, the Executive Director of AMCHA-Coalition for Jewish the openness and camaraderie – all of that is still Concerns, an organization founded by Rabbi Avi Weiss. there. Programmatic growth has not eroded our Just being around Rav Avi was incredibly special. identity, rather it’s reinforced it. Sometime later, Pardes reached out to me about becoming Executive Director. At How has Pardes funded this first, I wasn’t really interested, growth? as raising money didn’t sound all that fun. But, since it was Pardes, I When I started in 2004 we raised around was open to having a conversation. Two $2.2 million a year globally. This year we weeks and six meetings later, I figured raised about $4.4 million. We are blessed hey, let’s give it a try. I’m glad I did. That to have incredible foundation partners and was in 2004, so this December marks my 12th individual donors who have significantly increased Pardes anniversary. All the rest is commentary. their investment in Pardes over time. Our staff and

108 The number of people who attended over 200 events outstanding lay leaders have logged countless hours working to in North America during build a larger and more committed donor base. That only happens 2015-16. when you have a team that really cares. There’s no B.S. on our team. 6,000 I’m from Massachusetts, and naturally a New England Patriots fan, so I like to quote Coach Bill Belichick, who is famous for telling his players, simply but very firmly, “Do your job.” That’s what happens here. Our staff and lay leaders do their jobs, and it shows.

It’s important not to forget that underlying everything, of course, is our stellar faculty. Anyone who has learned with a Pardes faculty The number of member knows that our product is second to none. We are truly programs offered by leading the field when it comes to providing serious text-based the Pardes Center for Jewish education grounded in openness, tolerance and diversity 8 Jewish Educators. of opinions. As fundraisers, staying connected to that learning is critical, which is why I encourage our US staff to regularly listen to Pardes podcasts. It helps us tell our story, whether we’re asking for a gift or recruiting new students.

What’s on the horizon for Pardes?

We have over 6,500 alumni of our core programs, and thousands The number of countries more learn with our faculty members in informal settings each year. students came from on the 13 We now have concentrations of Pardes alumni all over the world. 2016 Summer Program. Building more robust international programming is on the top of the agenda. Right now we are looking for serious funders who want to help us expand in North America, where the bulk of our alumni live. Jerusalem will always remain our home, but we want to stay engaged with our alumni and continue to learn Torah together. The next few years will be very exciting in the US, UK and Canada.

In Israel there is always a tremendous amount happening. What's $4.4 m most exciting is the upcoming construction of a new facility. We have The amount Pardes raised in 2015-16. passed the main municipal and state hurdles to break ground and we hope to have a new home by 2019. A new building is going to be a tremendous benefit to our students.

Can you leave us with a funny story about meeting with The number of unique visitors donors? to Elmad in 2015-16. 24,000

One of my favorite meetings each year is with a donor who insists that we do a l’chaim on a shot of ice-cold vodka. It’s a great idea… although sometimes we meet at 10:30 am in the morning! I always 1,500 leave that meeting happy. The number of students who studied at Pardes in Jerusalem in 2015-16. Some stories, of course, are far more amusing in hindsight. Like the time I came close to literally falling out of my chair during my very first board meeting as Executive Director. Luckily that was not US 4,776 Israel 1,278 a metaphor for the years to come. I’m so happy I took this job 12 years ago, and I’m just as excited about our work today as I was when I started. Canada 289 UK 196

The location of alumni of core Pardes programs.

119 This listing includes Annual Campaign donations to Pardes from September 2015 through the first week of September 2016. If one or both donors are alumni, they are listed in red. We apologize for misspellings, omissions and other THANK|You { mistakes. Please send corrections to [email protected]. }

Pardes would like to thank all of its generous Annual Campaign donors. Your contributions strengthen the Jewish people by providing student scholarships and organizational support that enable students to have a life-changing experience studying Jewish texts in Jerusalem and across the world.

Director’s Circle: Faygie and Phil Schwartz Scholar Steven and Sheira Schacter Jerusalem Society ($100,000 +) Deborah Shapira and Barry Stern ($2,500 +) Matthew and Shirley Schein Alan B. Slifka Foundation The Schuckit Family Judith and F. Randall Smith Rachel Seiden The AVI CHAI Foundation Irving S. Weinstein Philanthropic Fund Anonymous (3) Eric and Chana Selmon The Crown Family Della Worms Anonymous Joseph and Marla Shafran Paula and Jerry Gottesman Marilyn Ziering Harlene and Henry Appelman The Daniel and Barbara Shapira Abbie and Moshe Greenberg Andi and David Arnovitz Philanthropic Fund of the UJF Foundation Hellman Foundation Director’s Circle: Aviv Foundation Ellen Singer z”l and Don Simkin Jim Joseph Foundation Partner ($5,000 +) Edward and Marlin Barad Michael and Rachel Stein The Marcus Foundation The June Baumgardner Gelbart Foundation Toby Ticktin Back The David S. & Karen A. Shapira Foundation Richard Biller TLK Foundation The Alexander Soros Foundation Anonymous (2) Jack Chester Foundation Jennifer and Leslie Wagner Moshe and Libby Werthan Anonymous Lynn and Jeffrey Coe Jeremy Werthan Debbie and Chaim Abramowitz Deborah Denenberg Melissa Werthan Director’s Circle: Alan and Valerie Adler Stephen and Marsha Donshik Fred Zimmerman and Sharon Bell Founder ($50,000 +) Susan and Aron Ain Miriam and William Galston Thomas and Jill Barad Caron and Mr. Steven Gelles Fellow/Alumni Leadership David and Linda Barish Ruth Assal and Dr. Robert Gerwin Minyan ($1,000 +) YESOD Yisrael Campbell Solomon and Julia z”l Green Joshua Chadajo and Natalie Salem Dr. Jan Hackman Director’s Circle: Carole Daman Joseph and Anita Hara Anonymous (3) Guardian ($25,000 +) David Dangoor Simon and Barrie Jacob Anonymous (8) Aaron and Valerie Edelheit Kelly and Harold Kalick Alper Family Philanthropic Fund of the Geraldine Ellman Kandel Family Jewish Community Foundation Anonymous Ami-Da Institute/Rabbi Leonid Feldman Jerome Kaplan/Kaplan Family Charitable Rabbi Marc and Jill Baker Anonymous Cheri Fox Trust Philip and Pessy Baskin Paz and Rick Goldberg Adam and Lynne Weinstein Frank Luis and Lee Lainer David Benkof Yael Taubman Laurence and Lois Frank Bryna and Joshua Landes The Marla Bennett Memorial Fund of the Jennifer Bayer-Gamulka and Daniel Michael Levy and Rise Ain Jewish Community Foundation Gamulka Director’s Circle: Nathan and Shari Lindenbaum Colin Berkley and Dr. Tamara Litwin Builder ($10,000 +) Dr. Monica Handler Penner and Ami Gires Noa and Joseph Perez Alison and Edward Bermant Stuart and Claire Hershkowitz Dubbi and Elisabeth Rabinowitz Jeffrey and Michelle Berney Deborah and Ed Heyman Sharon Reiss-Baker and Tom Baker Maxine and Terry Bernstein Jay Amsel Yisrael Hollender Sharon and Russell Roberts Ricki and Dr. David I. Bernstein Jean and Andrew Balcombe J. E. Joseph Charitable Trust Shai and Judy Robkin Robert Blum and Sarah Rindner Giti and Jack Bendheim Daniel and Ruth Krasner Nancy Rose and John Kimmelman Robin and Allen Bodner The Benmosche Family David Kuney and Cathy Simon Russell Berrie Foundation Andrew and Diane Lappin Charlotte and Morry Blumenfeld Ezra and Batya Levin “I have been a longtime donor because Sidney Brettler Richard and Leora Linhart Pardes was a significant influence in Tabby and John Corre Avi and Wanda Peretz my Jewish and philanthropic journey. Colleen and Richard Fain Vicki and Gary Phillips Nadia and Brian Glenville Alan and Elisa Pines As with any educational institution, Francine M. Gordon Michael and Daniela Rader the tuition was only a portion of the Ronald and Amy Guttman Sanford and Laurayne Ratner Fund of the true cost. I was fortunate to have my Robert Immerman Jewish Community Foundation tuition covered through Dorot and Audrey Kaplan Scher and Harvey Scher Abraham & Sonia Rochlin Foundation Wexner fellowships and many of my friends also received Bryan Kocen and Gail Gordon Kocen Rocker Family Foundation Darell and Elizabeth Krasnoff Robert Russell Memorial Foundation generous financial aid awards. I feel a deep chiyuv Mark and Gloria Levenfus Phil Shaw and Shira Gordon (obligation) to Pardes to cover what it invested in my Janet and David J. Lonner Joan B. Shayne Jewish journey, so I can ‘pay it forward’ and enable Juan Mesa-Freydell and Catherine Stoll Laurence and Robert Sigal more students to have their own transformative Jewish Barbara and David Messer Helen and Peter Simpson experience.” Jay and Huti Pomrenze Dr. John and Julie Watkins Renee Rabinowitz Betty and Bernard Werthan Foundation Rose Family Fund Whizin Philanthropic Fund Sacha Litman (Year ‘95-’96, Summer ‘02) has contributed to Pardes for 12 consecutive years.

12 Dr. Richard and Merry Bodziner Ann and Jeremy Pava Jamie and Carrie Bornstein Sherwin and Shoni Pomerantz Today’s day of learning is sponsored by Shira and Jared Boschan Lowell and Julie Potiker Fund of the Lynn and Jeff Coe in memory of their mothers Nancy and David Brent Jewish Community Foundation Blanche May Levi z”l Born Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 1, 1916 David Brown Shifra and Stephen Pride Raffel Ida Cohen z”l Rabbi Joel and Marjorie Chernikoff Deborah Renert Born Chicago, IL on April 12, 1908 כל המכבד את התורה, גופו מכובד – פרקי אבות ד:ו Mark S. Cohen and Roberta Weinstein Cohen Rae Ringel and Amos Hochstein Who so honors the Torah is himself honored – Ethics of the Fathers 4:6 Shira and Ariel Cohen Goldberg Carmen Ringelmann

Rabbi Darryl Crystal Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation Coe DOL.indd 1 5/31/2016 11:10:54 AM Jonathan Daves-Brody Joanne and Adam Rose Eunie and Norm Denenberg Shep and Shari Rosenman “A day of learning to honor our mothers seemed natural. Michael Doppelt Falynn Schmidt We could think of no better way to link generations. Barbara and Judah Elstein Irine and Dr. Victor Schweitzer We are delighted to support Pardes and contribute to Paulayne and Arthur Epstein The Lipton Family Jewish education.” Howard and Rebekah Farber Lilian and David Serviansky Hersh Felson Sarene Shanus and Harold Treiber Jeff and Lynn Coe (PELS ‘14-’16) Yossi and Tamar Fendel Jeremy Shapira and David Gilinsky sponsored a 2016 Day of Learning at Pardes in memory of Fox Family Foundation Michael Simon and Dr. Claire Sufrin their mothers, Blanche May Levi z”l and Ida Coe z”l. Charles and Aviva Freedman Suzanne and Max Singer Deborah Gaffin and Richard Bennett Scott Soloway To sponsor a Day of Learning at Pardes, email Jamie Rabbi David Gedzelman and Judith Robert Stark and Marla Comet Stark Bornstein at [email protected]. Turner Eva Schwarz and Eddy Sterngold Dorothy and Albert Gellman Florence and Fred Thomases Foundation Michael Gillis and Ayelet Rosen Sivie and Nahum Twersky Sarah Gershman-Silverberg and Daniel Dr. Jonah Schrag and Dr. Valerie Warmflash Barbara Gochberg and Steven Pretsfelder Milton and Miriam Waldbaum Family Silverberg Liz and Philip Shapiro Rachel Goldberg and Jonathan Polin Foundation Matthew Gershuny Rabbi Steve Shaw David and Amanda (Katz) Goldblatt Miriam-Simma Walfish and Rabbi Michael June Getraer Laura Solomon Paula Goldman Rosenberg Andrew Ginsberg John Spyropoulos Sally Gottesman Max Wasserman Aviva and Josh Golbert Jonathan Tassoff Joyce Green Dorith and Mark Weinbaum Bruce Goldberger and Esther Sperber Michael Tolkin and Dr. Wendy Mogel Neil Greenbaum Dr. Michael Weingart Irving and Janice Goldfein Jennifer and Lawrence Trilling Gary and Cari Gross Nancy Werthan Prof. Robert and Dr. Ruth Goldston Stephanie and Ezekiel Vanderhoek Larry and Linda Gross Drs. Barry and Ruth Wexler Matthew Goldstone Howard and Kayla Weisband Sol and Esther, Kathy and Dennis Gura Fund Arnee R. and Walter A. Winshall Pam and Matthew Greenwood Etan and Amy Weiss Robert Hammer M. Evan Wolkenstein Rachel Gross Adam and Susan Winton Rabbi Dr. Meesh and Yoni Hammer- Dr. Shelley and Ari Zak Robert and Dara Grossman Sarah and Avi Zollman Kossoy Meyer Zeifman Michael and Eva Hammelburger Bruce and Susan Heitler Patti Zetlin Graham Hoffman Friend Jordan and Anne Herzberg Michael Ziff Maasha and Zvi Inbar ($180 + ) Noa Heyman and Tim Gore Gerald and Lee Zoldan Seth Krosner and Phil Johnson Steven and Ellen Hirsch Aliza and Stephen Kurer The Panama Street Fund Havruta Partner Rabbi Daniel Landes and Sheryl Robbin Anonymous (6) Jewish Federation of Nashville and ($500 +) Lee Lasher Anonymous (12) Middle Tennessee Kim Lerner Molly and Stanley Abramowitz Jewish Charities of America Hana Levine Deborah Anstandig Joseph Family Philanthropic Fund of the Anonymous (3) Jonathan Maron Noah and Tamara Arnow Jewish Federation of Greater Miami Anonymous (2) Jeanette and Michael Marx Robert Auritt and Suzanne Landau Isadore and Yetta Joshowitz Charitable Amcha for Tsedakah Steven Mazer Rabbi Elyssa Joy Auster and Cantor Foundation Richard and Rachel Aron Avi Mermelstein Matthew Klein Martin Kaminer Geraldine Bar-El Dr. Mark and Ilana Meskin Rabbi Michael Balinsky Randall Kaplan and Kathy Manning Bracha and Kobi Berkson Naomi Michlin Bank of America Matching Gifts Tzvi Katz Rabbi Josh Feigelson and Natalie Blitt David Morris and Elisheva Urbas Gil and Nese Gilah Bar-Shoshan Caroline and Kevin Kelly Rabbi Terry Bookman Robert Murstein Rabbi Joshua Barton and Ms. Sophie Larry and Josie Kluger Adina and Simon Brief Ilene and David Nechamkin Rapoport Dr. Julie and Glen Kohl Rabbi Yosi Cirlin and Amy Martin Henry Rabinowitz Rabbi Dennis and Julia Beck-Berman Susan and Edward Kopelowitz Neil and Rachel Cohen Fern Reiss and Jonathan Harris David and Moran Beker Yonah Lavery-Yisraeli Philip H. Cohen and Susan Rudd Cohen David Richman and Linda Siegel Richman Judah Bellin Amutat Keren Dovik Za”l Richard Cohen Paul and Sheri Robbins Rabbi Noah Bickart and Nadia Kahn Dr. Brian Lester and Shirah Rosin Evan and Dr. Rebecca Farber Joshua and Abby Rocker Jody and Brian Blum Irwin and Iliana Levin Jack Feinberg Ephraim and Nomi Rosen Jennifer Blumenfeld Joshua Levin and Lisa Silverman Rabbi Michelle Fisher Rodney and Lynne Rosenblum Michael and Roberta Bornstein Sacha Litman Rabbi Lyle Fishman and Debra Rosenman The Amy and Bret Scher Family Fund of Daniel and Abby Brill Sheldon and Diana Lutz Phyllis Shapiro and Martin Flashner the Jewish Community Foundation Jeremy Brochin and Rabbi Reena Frank and Virginia Maas Jason and Marissa Freed Bonni and Steve Schiff Spicehandler Barbara Mark Dreyfuss Mark Freedman and Leslie Klein Edith and Elihu Schimmel Daniel Budofsky Henry and Maureen Molot Richard Friedman and Erica Raphael Mindy Malka Schimmel Drs. Shai and Rebecca Cherry Rabbi Leon A. Morris and Dasee Berkowitz Sheila and Dr. Alan Friedman Dr. Gary Schnur and Nancy Gluck Nina and Charles Cohen

13 Friend ($180 + ) Henry and Frances Israel “Through learning Jewish texts at Continued Emily Jackson Hillis Jaffe Family Pardes, I have become part of the Debbie and Ben Kail Jewish story. What were once abstract Vivienne Cohen Shana and Rabbi Shalom Kantor concepts are now part of my way of Michael and Josephine Cole Allan Kantrowitz thinking and being. This could not have Sarah and Levi Cooper Abbey and Dr. Leonard Kapelovitz happened without Pardes, and I want to Jordana and Benjamin Cooperberg Elissa and Thomas Katz Nancy and Charles Coren Larry and Deborah Katz give all I can to ensure that others have Greg Derin and Bonnie Smigel-Derin Lisa Exler and Rabbi Elie Kaunfer the opportunity to be blessed in this same way.” Esther DuBow Sidney and Peggy Kaz Ruth and Martin Dunitz Ben Keisler Celeste Aronoff (Year ‘14-’15, Fellow ‘15-’16) David Eisenstat and Amanda Salem Kalie Kelman contributed to the 2016 student giving campaign. George and Vivienne Erdos Wendy and Rickey Kelman Helena Fantl Sol and Debbie Kempinski Stephen Feingold Chanan and Eve Kessler Jonathan Price and Naomi Schacter Ethan and Rachel Seidel Dr. Baruch and Adina Feldstern Adam Kleinbaum and Rachel Barenbaum David and Helen Pomerantz Pudlin Eric Shafran and Dr. Julie Lieber Pat and Jim Fingeroth Kleinbaum Dr. Edward Queen and Hallie Segal Barry Shimelfarb Courtney and Robert Fishman Raanan Korinow Tamar Rabinowitz and Dr. Gregg Fine Nikki Sieger and Andres Terech Avi and Elina Flax Ariella Zeller and Chaim Kram Sarah and Rabbi Michael Ragozin Chana and Chaim Solomon Tracy Fogel Kenneth and Felicia Kramarz AnneMonique and Edward Rapoport Prof. Steven Solomon and Rabbi Amy Idit Tali Frank Horwitz and Eitan Horwitz Marshall and Hannah Kramer Elliott Rebhun Solomon Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Myron and Gloria Kramer Emily and Michael Rehaut Rabbis Eric and Jenny Solomon Herbert and Marianne Friedman Family Marcel and Alicia Kraus Yehudit Reishtein Rabbi Avi and Tikvah Spodek Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Samantha Kur and Evan Hochberg Heena and Stephen Reiter Alvin and Ann Stillman Community Foundation Tamara Kushnir Groman Ilan and Ada Reiter Rabbi Mark Strauss-Cohn and Marsha Murray and Lynn Friedman Alison and Alan Lebovitz Joel and Irene Resnikoff Strauss-Cohen Monica and David Genet Dr. Lisa and Rabbi Daniel Lehmann Rabbi Sara and Ezra Rich Marion Talansky Monique and Mr. Bradley Gibbons Warren Leonard Mr. Steve Rosenberg Danny and Ruth Teacher Jill and David Gleicher Livia Levine and Noah Moline Lauren and Evan Rosenstock Eva Vadasz Dr. Roberta Glick and Dr. Terry Unterman Ellen and Michael Levitt Benedict Roth and Sue Gessler Roth Joan and Joseph Vander Walde Jerold and Linda Goldberg Samuel Levy Irene and Norman Saiger Sylvia Wallis Roberta Golden Mary and Robert Liling Joan and Kenneth Saliman Adele and Walter Wasser Clare Goldwater and Jeremy Bandler Rosemary Linsider Jamie Salter and Cindy Nathanson Hedva and Michael Weinberg Yonina Goorno Maggie and David Lissy Rachelle and Sheldon Salzberg Daniel Weinreb Dr. Annette and Rabbi Mel Gottlieb Benjamin Macdonald Jonathan Sarna and Ruth Langer Dena Weiss David and Diane Gould Howard and Diane Mager Lieba and Dan Savitt Judy and Laurence Weiss Brad Grob Dr. Steven and Hildy Martin Andrew Sawczenko Patricia and Rabbi Loel Weiss Ben z”l and Carrie Grossman Anna Melman and Ari Bronstein Sheldon and Cookie Schaffel Nicole and Yonatan Wexler Helga Hanelin Searle and Deborah Mitnick Miriam and Daniel Scharf Toni and Peter Wiseburgh David and Sabra Maya Hart Stephen and Dr. Irene Moff Neil Schechter and Marjorie Corwin Musa and Lika Yenni Jacob and Rachel Heitler Sharon Musher and Daniel Eisenstadt Shoshanah Schein Rabbi Misha Zinkow and Rabbi Elka B. Barry and Ruth Herman Yakov and Lydia Peretz Benjamin Schneider Abrahamson Marlene and Basil Herzstein Amanda Pogany and Aaron Bisman Marvin and Sandy Schotland Renee Hirsch Rabbi Avi and Carina Poupko Amanda and Jason Schwartz Andrea Hodos and Aryeh Cohen Lesley and Barry Prais Robert Schwartz & Vicki Trachten-Schwartz Jess and Naomi Hordes Daniella Pressner & Rabbi Saul Strosberg Berel Segal Family Foundation

Pardes would like to acknowledge and thank Masa Israel Journey for its ongoing partnership and support, including scholarships and grants that assisted more than 40% of students studying in Pardes’s academic-year programs. This support provides key assistance that enables Jewish young adults to engage deeply with Jewish texts and explore Israel, while gaining valuable tools for future leadership.

Online Learning Pardes Community Education Program Powered by Short-term classes all year round www.pardes.org.il/ce Pardes elmad.pardes.org

14

CLOSING|Words

by Maya Zinkow

When I thought about how to encapsulate two special Vayikra Raba expounds on a verse from Tehilim years at Pardes, I thought about the Maya of two years (Psalms) to explain the heightened consciousness ago, how she might be unsure of where to begin. shmita demands of us: "It is common to find someone There was always the parsha (weekly portion). But who keeps shmita for a day, for a week, for a month; if she were to visualize bookshelves full of wisdom but do we really find many people who keep it the to pepper a message of closure and gratitude with entire year? Is there a mightier person who sees their textual meaning, she’d see a blur of black and white, field go untilled, their vineyard go untilled, yet still pays overwhelmed and stifled. Those bookshelves are still their taxes and doesn’t complain?” there in my mind, still overwhelming and capable of keeping me at a standstill. But now, they are full of There is bravery in what we’ve each done for the vivid color. They are within arm’s reach; they have sake of learning and growing. Yet in our own vibrant meaning, an order, a rhythm, and a reason. They are orchard, there are those mightier than we who release mine to explore and discover, beautiful and full and our normative reality for a year or more. The giburei decipherable. koach (mighty heros) of Pardes, of course, are our inspiring, intelligent, funny, creative and kind teachers. So as I contemplated words of closure and saw my They enable us to keep our special kind of shmita, bookshelf towering before me, where did I end up? and even more than this; they help us plant more The parsha, of course. Last week we read parshat abundant fields and vineyards than we could have ever Behar. I remain on the mountain, not quite ready for imagined possible, their wisdom bringing forth new, the desert ahead of me; it’s wildness yet impenetrable. wild growth, covering our lives with blossoming color.

In Vayikra 20:5, God blesses the Children of Israel that As I face the reality of transition, I am overwhelmed their land be fruitful for three years – in the year before with gratitude for these mighty tillers of Torah. Thank shmita (sabbatical year), in the seventh year itself, you, for making my bookshelf increasingly more and in the eighth year. My Pardes journey began in accessible. Thank you to my friends for making Torah, summer 2013, which happened to be the year before Israel, and Judaism come alive with hearty laughter, shmita. I returned for my first year at Pardes just as unbridled joy, vivid color, and raucous and soulful the shmita year began, and here I am: continuing to song. Thank you to this community for allowing me benefit from the fruits of shmita as the third year of to be my full self, unapologetically. extra blessings ends. My Pardes journey has been intricately bound up with the holiness of shmita in both As I collect the final fruits of this third year of the literal and spiritual sense. For what is shmita? It abundance, my blessing for us all is that the seeds is a release; a letting go of something essential, the planted here are rooted in this moment and in this work of our hands, the guarantee of livelihood, in order place, but even more, that you take your Torah with to serve the greater purpose of allowing the land to you. Share the sweet rewards of your shmita wherever breath and souls to be set free. We let the tools of you go. Plant new seeds, find new farming partners, our trade grow rusty with disuse, with the faith that keep your tools sharp, and honor the might of Pardes’s God will sustain us with the Earth’s natural goodness. giburei koach by aspiring to that might yourself. There’s only one Pardes, but the orchard of Torah is Even without the cosmic chronological connection ours to plant, maintain, and care for wherever we find between shmita and my Pardes experience, it is clear ourselves on our journey. that in coming to Jerusalem to spend our days in the beit midrash, we’ve all taken our own shmita. We’ve left loved ones, taken time from careers, shifted our Read at closing lunch, May 2016. Maya Zinkow (Summer paths of ambition, let relationships and bank accounts ’13, Year ‘14-‘15, Fellow ’15-’16) is a rabbinical student at lie fallow with the faith that whatever might come of the Jewish Theological Seminary. this release would sustain us for now and beyond.

15 2015-16 in Pictures Pardes Institute | of Jewish Studies

מכון פרדס לחנוך יהודי ע”ר Harry H. Beren Center for Torah & Ethics Clockwise from top: Havruta in our Summer Program; Megillat Esther class siyum; Dr. David I. Bernstein Closing dinner of the Summer Executive Learning Seminar at the Bible Lands Musuem; Dean & Interim President 9Adar event and alumni reception; Purim; Teaching in Turkey; Opening Circle; Graduation Joel Weiss ceremony for the Pardes Day School Educators Program; Andrew Ash (Year '15-'16) and Executive Director, Israel Mirta Eifer Rachel Cohn (Summer '13, PCJE '15-'16) get engaged at Pardes; Hiking on the Arava tiyul. Director of Finance, Israel Joshua Chadajo Executive Director, North America

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ISRAEL

Chair: Sherwin B. Pomerantz Secretary: Jean Balcombe

Deborah Abramowitz Alan Adler Charlotte Blumenfeld John H. Corre* Adam Frank Daniel Gamulka Michael Gillis* Brian Glenville* Abbie Greenberg Jordan Herzberg Naomi Neustadter Renee Rabinowitz Matt Schein Audrey Kaplan Scher* Phil Schwartz David Shalev Suzanne Singer Leslie Wagner Howard Weisband Libby Werthan* Moshe Werthan* *Past Chair Founder: Michael Swirsky Legal Advisor: Richard Aron

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NORTH AMERICA

Chair: Deborah Shapira Treasurer: Bryan Kocen Secretary: Neil Schechter

Thomas K. Barad* Giti Bendheim Jack Bendheim Rabbi David Gedzelman Francine M. Gordon* Daniel Krasner Darell Krasnoff David Kuney Mark Levenfus* David Lonner Rae Ringel David Shapira Michael Stein *Past Chair

Design: Natalie Friedman-Weinberg Cover photo: Michael Bentley (Summer ‘09-’15)

Full details of all programs and events worldwide are available on the Pardes website: www.pardes.org.il Make a gift to Pardes online: www.pardes.org.il/donate

POB 8575, Jerusalem 9108402 Israel | T + 972 2 673 5210 | F + 972 2 673 5160 | [email protected] 5 West 37th Street Suite 802, New York NY 10018 USA | T + 1 212 447 4333 | F + 1 212 447 4315 | [email protected]